What are the different Merlot blends?
Merlot is most often blended with Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. On Bordeaux's Right Bank, Merlot leads (usually over 60 percent) with Cabernet Franc next; on the Left Bank it supports Cabernet Sauvignon to soften it. Italy's Super Tuscans blend Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.
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In this article
What is Merlot blended with?
Red Bordeaux blends are mainly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Malbec and Petit Verdot (Wine Folly). Merlot is the most widely planted grape in Bordeaux.
Main blend types
| Blend | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Right Bank Bordeaux (Pomerol, Saint-Emilion) | Merlot leads, usually over 60 percent, with Cabernet Franc next. Slightly smoother, with more subtle tannin (Wine Folly). |
| Left Bank Bordeaux (Medoc, Graves) | Cabernet Sauvignon usually leads at over 60 percent; Merlot follows. Peppery, with bolder tannins. |
| Super Tuscan | Merlot with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. |
| Other red blends | Merlot is often mixed with other grapes. Check the label or the winery’s website for the grape list. |
What does Merlot add?
Wine Folly says Left Bank blends use Merlot to smooth out Cabernet Sauvignon, while Right Bank blends are Merlot-led. In cooler climates it tastes of red plum and cherry, in warmer climates of baked blackberry and fruitcake.
How to choose a blend
- For a softer, rounder wine, look for Right Bank Bordeaux or a Merlot-led blend.
- For a firmer, more structured wine, look for Cabernet-led blends with a share of Merlot.
- Read the label: percentages are often listed on the back or on the winery’s website.
Serving
Wine Folly suggests serving Merlot slightly below room temperature, about 60 to 68 degrees F, in a large glass, with about 30 minutes of decanting.
Exact blend percentages change every vintage; the figures here are general ranges, not rules.
Reading the label
A wine labeled red blend or sold under a proprietary name may not list its grapes on the front. Look at the back label or the winery’s website for the grape list. European labels usually name the place (Pomerol, Saint-Emilion, Medoc) rather than the grapes, so knowing the region tells you the likely blend.
People also ask
What is a Right Bank blend?
A Bordeaux blend from the Libournais area, led by Merlot with Cabernet Franc; Wine Folly calls these wines slightly smoother.
Is Merlot good in blends?
Yes. Wine Folly says Left Bank blends use it to smooth out Cabernet Sauvignon.
What is a Super Tuscan?
Per Wine Folly, a Tuscan blend where Merlot can be mixed with Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese.
Sources
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